Do you feel like something is missing in your dishes when you cook at home? If so, try seasoning your dishes with Thai spices (khreuuang thaeht – เครื่องเทศ)!
If you enjoy cooking and eating at home, then you should definitely try incorporating some Thai spices into your next dishes. Whether you’re cooking Thai noodles or fried rice, you’ll be amazed by how much these spices can change the entire flavor of the dish with just a little pinch.
In this post, you’ll learn Thai spices and sauces that are essential in every Thai kitchen! So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Spices That You Didn’t Know Originated From Thailand
There are actually more spices originally from Thailand than you might think. Additionally, Thailand has been greatly influenced by China and India in terms of spices.
On the other hand, a wide range of Thai herbs and spices, such as lemongrass and galangal, are native to Thailand. In general, you just need to know that most of the spices used in food like Thai noodles and Thai soup originated in either South or Southeast Asia for centuries.
1. Chili Pepper (พริก – phrik)
Chili peppers are green in color if they are harvested early. But, if you make them wait longer, they turn red because of the sunlight.
A pinch of chili pepper powder can transform any dish from basic to fantastic. If you like, you can also use the whole chili pepper in the dish.
You can find the use of red and green chili peppers in famous Thai dishes, such as stir-fried dried chili and salt with crispy pork (moo krob kua prik guea – หมูกรอบคั่วพริกเกลือ).
2. Ginger Root (ขิง – khing)
Ginger is a herb native to South Asia, and it is one of the most commonly used spices in Thai cuisine. One of the most popular ginger dishes is sautéed ginger with mixed vegetables.
Ginger can also be combined with galanga (ข่า – khaa) to make Panang curry paste.
3. Sweet Thai Basil (กะเพรา – ga phrao)
As you can see from its name, this herb has a sweet flavor. Fresh basil is an essential element to almost all Thai dishes. But, did you know that basil is also commonly used in Hindu temples? Well, you do now!
4. Lemongrass (ตะไคร้ – dta khrai)
Since the flavor of lemongrass is quite sharp and sour, it is a staple ingredient in most Thai curries. The traditional use of lemongrass is to dip it in the green Thai curry base without leaving it in the actual curry because, otherwise, it will become bitter.
5. Cilantro (ผักชี – phak chee)
The cilantro herb is an essential item of Thai cuisine, both in the dish and as a garnish. All parts of the cilantro herb are edible, but the most used part is its leaves. Cilantro seeds, roots, and powder are often used to make different Thai pastes.
6. Black Pepper (พริกไทยดำ – prik Thai dam)
You may think black pepper is basic, but it actually has an intense Thai flavor that you need to be careful when cooking with. Since black pepper is heavily used in Thai cooking, you are likely to taste it in most Thai dishes.
7. Cumin (เมล็ดยี่หร่า – ma let yee raa)
Cumin seeds are usually ground into a powder before use, and it can be found in many different sauces in Thai cuisine. One of the most common uses in Thailand is to make Thai red curry paste. In case you didn’t know, cumin has numerous health benefits!
8. Turmeric (ขมิ้น – kha min)
Turmeric is one of the most wonderful and flavorful spices that you’ll find in Thai curries and chicken dishes.
Turmeric is typically used in powder form in a variety of Thai dishes, including Thailand’s famous yellow curry.
9. Cinnamon (อบเชย – ohp cheeuy)
Cinnamon is one of the staple ingredients in Thai food. It is commonly used to soften the flavor of a sour sauce and add a more distinctive taste to dishes.
Cinnamon can also be used as a sweet flavor in Thai tea and coffee. Next time you drink your tea or coffee, try adding a pinch of cinnamon instead of sugar.
10. Clove (กานพลู – gaan phluu)
Cloves are a kind of aromatic flower buds that look like tiny black sticks with a head. They slowly release both sweet and bitter flavors into the mouth.
11. Bay Leaf (ใบกระวาน – bai gra waan)
Bay leaves don’t grow naturally in Thailand, so they are usually imported from India. However, it’s important to note that these bay leaves tend to have a relatively different flavor from those found in Europe. Bay leaves in Thailand usually have olive-green leaves that are larger and milder in flavor.
12. Thai Red Curry Paste
The creamy red curry sauce is made from freshly blended red chili peppers, garlic, cilantro, cumin, lemongrass, turmeric, shrimp paste, black pepper, and salt. It is used in many other variations, including Panang curry and peanut curry.
13. Thai Green Curry Paste
Green curry paste consists of green chilies, shrimp paste, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, pepper, cumin seeds, lemon, and salt. Ginger can also be added if you like.
14. Thai Peanut Curry Paste
Peanut curry paste is another version of red curry paste, except you also need to add peanut butter, garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, and coconut milk broth.
15. Chili Paste With Soybean Oil
This paste has a particularly spicy and sweet flavor and is used as a dipping sauce in many main dishes. This paste is made from Thai red chilies, fresh minced garlic, onion, dried mushrooms, brown sugar, tamarind paste, and white vinegar.
How Do You Say Spices In Thai?
The Thai word for spices is เครื่องเทศ (khrʉ̂aŋthêet).
Other Vocabulary For Spices In Thai
Now that you know how to say ‘spices’ in Thai, you can try practicing talking about spices in Thai with these example sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thai Spices
What Spices Are Commonly Used In Thailand?
Most Thai pastes start with shallots (or onions), garlic, and green or red chilies. Added to this may be a variety of other spices and herbs, including dried or fresh coriander, Thai chili powder, galangal, green peppercorns, lemongrass, and turmeric
What Are Thai Spice Levels?
Thai restaurants number their spices from zero to five. Scale zero is for the food that contains no spices at all. There are four spice levels offered at Eattini: Mild, Little Spicy, Medium Spicy, and Thai hot spicy. Most Thai dishes contain mild Thai spices.
What Spice Makes Thai Food Hot?
While spices like red and green chilies are used to add heat to a dish, other spices like cumin and cinnamon are used to create complex flavors. Meanwhile, ingredients like chili peppers, ginger, garlic, and peppercorn give Thai food the tingling spicy sensation that people love.
Turn Up The Heat With Thai Spices
Thai spices are the secret behind the vibrant flavors of Thailand. From fiery chilies to fragrant lemongrass, each spice adds its own magic to Thai food. So, next time you cook, don’t forget to add a dash of Thai spice. It’s the key to transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary delights.
